Korean J Intern Med.  1996 Jan;11(1):87-92.

Acute lung injury after phosgene inhalation

• Lim SC
• Yang JY
• Jang AS
• Park YU
• Kim YC
• Choi IS
• Park KO

Abstract

Phosgene (COCl2) is a colorless oxidant gas which is heavier than air and the lethal exposure dose (LC50) in humans is 500 ppm/min. This gas was originally manufactured as an agent for chemical warfare during World War I and there had been a great deal of studies on phosgene poisoning during the early years of industrial use. It is still widely used in the synthesis of chemicals and plastics. In the modern era, however, phosgene poisoning is relatively uncommon except in accidental exposures. In Korea, there has been no report about lung injury from phosgene inhalation. We present a clinical experience with six patients accidentally exposed to phosgene.

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Occupational*
Acute Disease
Adult
Case Report
Chemical Industry*
Chemical Warfare Agents/adverse effects*
Combined Modality Therapy
Female
Human
Lung/injuries
Male
Phosgene/adverse effects*
Pulmonary Edema/chemically induced*
Pulmonary Edema/diagnosis
Pulmonary Edema/physiopathology
Pulmonary Edema/therapy